Recoil-operated firearm.



No. 839,778. PATENTED DEC. 25 1906. G. LUGER.

REGOIL OPERATED FIREARM.

APPLICATION FILED MAB. 5. 1906.

UNITED STATES PATENT" @FFIQE. GEORG LUGER, or oHAahoTTnNBURe. GERMANY.

RECOIL-OPERATED FIREARM- Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 25, 1906.

Application filed March 5, 1906. Serial No. 304.277.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORG LUGER, a subject of the Emperor ofAustria-Hungary, residing at 28 \Veimarer strasse, Charlottenburg,Germany, have invented new and useful Improvements in Recoil-OperatedFirearms, of which the following is a specification.

This invention has reference to that class of recoil-operated firearmsin which the breech-bolt is actuated by toggle-links, and the object isto provide improved spring devices for the toggle-links whereby the fullefficiency of the spring tension and leverage will be utilized to closethe toggle-links, but will be less effective as a retarding force whenthe links are opening in consequence of the recoil.

In the accompanying drawings, F gure 1 shows the parts in the positionsthey normally assumethat is, ,while the breechbolt and toggle-links areclosed. Fig. 2 illustraites the open positions following the re= coiReferring to the drawings, the invention is illustrated as embodied in asmall arm, althou h it is obviously adaptable to pistols and ot erfirearms and to those employing a recoil movable barrel.

The letters 'm and n designate the togglelinks constituting theactuating mechanism for the breech-bolt v, the fulcrum of the rearwardlink being indicated at n. An S- shaped depending link a connects the toglelink 12. to the upper arm 7' of a bell-era lever fulcrumed at 0 inthe gun-case. The sparing b (shown in the form of a helical t ust-sprinis secured at one end to the gun-case an at the other to the lower arm71 of the bell-crank lever. The dotted lines indicate the distancebetween the fulcrum n and the line of action of the link a. in the twoextreme positions of the breech-bolt.

In 0 eration when the breech-bolt is closed and tl ie other parts are inthe positions shown in Fig. 1, and assuming the gun to be loaded, itsdischarge or firing will cause the breech-bolt to recoil or moverearwardly under the pressure of the powder-gases created by theexplosion of the cartridge. At the same time the toggle mechanism willassume the position shown in Fig. 2 against the tension of the springand the forces of the leverage. It will be noted, however, that as thetoggles rise the line of action of link a ap-' proaches the fulcrum nand the arm '11 of the bell-crank approaches the line of thespringaction. Thus the link, the bell-crank, and the spring assume thepositions of least leverage and highest compression. In the return orclosing movement of the breech-bolt the force of the compression-springacts upon an increasing leverage of the arm i of the bellcrank and thelink a. Consequently there is a double leverage between the spring andbreech-bolt mechanism. It will also be noted that the full actions ofthe spring and leverage are about completed when the breech-bolt reachesits closed osition, save for sufiicient to hold the breec i-bolt closed.In this way too great pressure at the closing of the breech-bolt and theconsequent tendency to rapid counter action are successfully obviated.

If desired, a plurality of springs b may be employed, or a plate-springmay be substi tuted for the helical compression member shown.

1 claim as my invention 1. In a recoil-operated firearm, the combinationwith the breech-bolt, and the togglelinks actuating said breech-bolt, ofa sprin tending to hold said breech-bolt in its close position, andmeans for transmitting the power of said spring to said breech-bolt inmultiplied ratio com risin a lever and a link pivoted to one of sai togge-links and to said lever.

2. In a recoil-operated firearm, the combination with the breech-bolt,and the togglelinks actuating said breech-bolt, of a comression-springtending to hold said breechiiolt in its closed position, and means fortransmitting the power of said spring to said breech-bolt in multipliedratio comprising a bell-crank lever having one of its arms secured tosaid compression-spring, and a link pivoted at one end to the reartoggle-link and pivoted at its other end to the other arm of saidbell-crank.

3. In a recoil-operated firearm, thecombination with the breech-bolt,and the togglelinks actuating said breech-bolt, of a comression-springtending to hold said breecholt in its closed position, and means fortransmitting the power of said spring to said breech-bolt in multipliedratio comprising a bell-crank lever having its fulcrum in the line ofaction of said spring and having its lower arm secured to said springwhereby when said arm is at the point of least leverage said spring isat its highest compression, and a I 5 link is at t e point of leastleverage.

link connecting the u per arm'of said bellcrank to the rear togg e-link.4. In a recoil-operated firearm, the combination with the breech-bolt,and the togglelinks actuating said breech-bolt, of a comression-springtending to hold said breecholt in its closed position, and means fortransmitting the power of said spring to said breech-bolt iii-multipliedratio comprising a bell-crank lever having one of its arms securedtosaid com ression-spring, and a link pivoted to the ot er arm of thebell-crank and to the rear tog le at a point in advance of the fulcrumof t e latter, whereby when said sprin is atgits highest compressionsaid 5. In'a recoil-operated firearm, the-combination with thebreech-bolt and the togglelinks actuating said breech-bolt, of a s rintending to hold said breech-bolt in its c ose position, a bell-cranklever having one of its arms secured to the s ring, a link connectingbell-crank to the rear ages of said bell-crank and link act on saidbreech-bolt in its closing movement and their least leverages areexerted when said breechbolt is open.

- In testimony whereof I have signed my name to'this specification inthe presence of two subscribing witnesses.

, GEORG LUGER.

Witnesses V HENRY HAsPER, WOLDEMAR HAUPT:

